How much does a food cooking machine operator and tender make in Reading?
$45,470a year
Median yearly pay for food cooking machine operator and tenders in the Reading, PA metro area. That is $21.86 an hour or $3,789 a month.
- Hourly
- $21.86
- Vs. national median
- +9%
- Rank among cities
- 28 of 86
- Jobs in the area
- 80
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $36,680Median: $45,470Highest 10%: $45,720
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,680 | $17.63 | |
| 25th | $41,090 | $19.75 | |
| Median | $45,470 | $21.86 | |
| 75th | $45,470 | $21.86 | |
| 90th | $45,720 | $21.98 |
Other cities in Pennsylvania
Median yearly pay for food cooking machine operator and tenders.
| Scranton, PA | $57,490 |
| York, PA | $46,350 |
| Allentown, PA | $40,740 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $39,880 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $38,890 |
| Altoona, PA | $37,530 |
Related jobs in Reading
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Worker | $78,200 |
| Rolling Machine Setter | $70,310 |
| Metal-Refining Furnace Operator and Tender | $68,990 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $65,440 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator | $61,300 |
| Machinist | $59,550 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setter | $55,260 |
| Plating Machine Setter | $55,230 |
| Crushing | $54,890 |
| Welder | $54,840 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food cooking machine operator and tender make an hour in Reading?
The median hourly pay in the Reading, PA metro area is $21.86 ($45,470 a year).
Do food cooking machine operator and tenders make more in Reading than the national average?
Yes: $45,470 against $41,590 nationally, 9% more.
How does Reading compare with the rest of Pennsylvania?
The median in Pennsylvania is $42,710, so Reading pays 6% more.
Where does Reading rank for food cooking machine operator and tender pay?
28 of 86 metro areas with data.
How much does a food cooking machine operator and tender make starting out in Reading?
The lowest-paid 10% make $36,680 or less a year; the top 10% make $45,720 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.